Karnataka HC Rejects Plea To Regulate Contents In Online Platforms Like YouTube, Netflix Etc

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday, refused to regulate online content being aired on internet platforms like YouTube, Amazon Prime, Netflix, under the Cinematography Act.

A division bench of Chief Abhay Oka and Justice Mohammad Nawaz rejected the petition filed by a senior citizen, Padmanabh Shankar. It said

"Going by the concept of internet and its operation, the act of exhibition of films, serials and other content perhaps amounts to transfer of files based on requests by users, and hence it is not possible to accept that transfer of files or films, serials through the internet comes under the purview of Cinematograph Act."

The petitioner had claimed that children were being affected due to unregulated content transmitted through online platforms. It was prayed for a direction to declare that films, serials, and other multimedia content transmitted through online platforms require certification under the Cinematograph Act till a suitable legislation is made to regulate them.

The bench though hoped that the concern expressed by the petitioner merits consideration by the Union government, if a representation was made by the petitioner.